Sleeping beauties
Peter Hoskin 4:09pm
We can't really let today go by without mentioning Nicholas Cecil's extraordinary scoop in the Standard. Here's a
snippet:
"MPs are sleeping secretly in the Commons after being stripped of their second home allowance.
A handful of parliamentarians are bedding down at Westminster during the week because they are now banned from claiming on the taxpayer for a hotel, a rented flat, or a mortgage on a second home.
But they want to stay anonymous for fear they will be evicted on health and safety grounds.
“I'm not complaining. I'm just getting on with it,” said a Tory who asked not to be named. “I'm desperately trying to do the best for my constituents, which is to be here.”
Also said to be staying overnight are a senior Tory backbencher and a Conservative who represents an outer London seat.
They are understood to be using makeshift arrangements such as camp beds — but they have been kept awake by the bongs of Big Ben, as well as other noises around the neighbourhood. They can shower and brush their teeth in bathrooms on the parliamentary estate."
After the whole expenses saga, there's something wryly hilarious about it ending up like this. But you could say it also strengthens the case for an MPs' boarding house, or something like it.
Previous
TrevorsDen
July 1st, 2010 4:26pm Report this commentMPs in inner London did not get an allowance anyway did they?
But can't outer London MPs claim for travelling still? MPs may not be able to claim for a mortgage but they can claim for rent can't they?
I do not see the changes which would necessitate any 'sleep-over' requirements.
Frank Sutton
July 1st, 2010 4:27pm Report this commentBut they want to stay anonymous for fear they will be evicted...
No problem if they are evicted - the Embankment is just a stroll away.
Mal
July 1st, 2010 4:34pm Report this commentThe Health & Safety at Work act (1974) only applies to places of work. The HoC has not fallen under that category for sometime.
GeoffH
July 1st, 2010 4:40pm Report this commentShabby and demeaning for all concerned.
This should not be happening in a major democracy.
In2minds
July 1st, 2010 4:41pm Report this commentSo funny! While on the green outside the House of Commons the protesters are being moved on another illegal camp is being set up inside the HoC.
David Preiser
July 1st, 2010 5:03pm Report this commentA one-hour commute is too much for these delicate flowers? Have any of them ever lived in the real world?
neilmack
July 1st, 2010 5:12pm Report this commentWhy not accommodate them all in a publicly maintained and staffed bordello?
That way we eliminate two potential sources of tension between us and our representatives. We'd know where they were sleeping, who with, and how much it was costing us. MPs with, ahem, specialised tastes, could of course "bring their own", if they preferred.
And it saves on duck houses.
Verity
July 1st, 2010 5:20pm Report this commentMal - Ha ha!
Seriously, folks, as the Brits are normally so keen to ape the Americans, why do they not do as American Congressmen and Senators do, and rent a small shared apartment? Except for the rich, I believe that the majority of Senators flat-share fairly undistinguished quarters. I believe most of them go home on weekends. And DC is one helluva greater distance from Idaho than the HoC is from Yorkshire.
Naomi Muse
July 1st, 2010 5:48pm Report this commentAh! Puts me in mind of the office boys that sleep under the desks in Saudi.
Maybe they have not got the train fare home?
yank
July 1st, 2010 6:46pm Report this commentGive them nothing. It'll focus their minds.
"No man's life, liberty, or property is safe while the legislature is in session." - Mark Twain (1866)
David Parker
July 1st, 2010 7:18pm Report this commentSince just when have MPs been banned from justifiable claims for overnight accomodation in London when their duties genuinely require this?
Dorothy Wilson
July 1st, 2010 8:10pm Report this commentIf this true these people are just pathetic wimps. I believe Youth Hostels actually have no age limit. They could try one of those. Or, as has been suggested, they could flat share.
Moraymint
July 1st, 2010 9:29pm Report this commentThere really should be an MPs' boarding house constructed in London; rather like student accommodation or, better still, an officers' mess.
A major democracy like ours must do better than this for our representatives in parliament.
Cogito Ergosum
July 2nd, 2010 1:10am Report this commentIt is time to revert MPs' expenses to a modified version of the old scheme.
The modification would be that all claims must be displayed on a public website; and must have been on display for a fortnight or so before they can be paid. No display, no pay.
That will cut out the absurd bureaucratic nonsense that has been recently installed. More importantly, it would place MPs in charge but subject to public oversight.
Nickle
July 2nd, 2010 10:05am Report this commentNo need for a boarding house.
They can use public transport like everyone else.
By having Ghettos for MPs they lose touch.
This showboating is all about trying to get more money in expenses.
Let them rough it for a while.
Nick
Olaf Rye
July 2nd, 2010 10:33am Report this commentWhat a bunch of tossers ! Is commuting that difficult ? This is just an attempt to elicit sympathy because the gravy train has come to an end. Moreover, these people presumably also knew of the changes before the last election and chose to run for office despite the new rules. If it is that difficult for the poor darlings (and I speak from the perspective on an ex-para that slept whenever and wherever I could on exercises and deployment) they can resign.
David Booth
July 2nd, 2010 12:41pm Report this commentI would throw the MP's out who are sleeping at Westminster on Health and Safety grounds after all this was legislation the MP's themselves brought in, (for us of course not them.)
On a positive note they can always rest their weary heads in a local doss house.
David Lindsay
July 2nd, 2010 5:21pm Report this commentThis is why they were ever given the use of a Royal Palace in the first place. They are supposed to live it it. That is what it is for.
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